Shooting 80lb + ???
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pointy sticks
Well-Known Member
I shoot an 80lb Bowtech CPXL. I love the thing it shoots my arrows which are prob pushing 500 grains at about 300fps. If you can draw the weigh comfortably I think it's the way to go. I have never had a problem drawing my bow in any hunting situation.
Ted Nugent always talks about low pound draw weight he kills many animals also I think it must be a balance between draw weight and arrow weight to have the proper amount of kinetic energy when it reaches the target
Some of the best advice I've seen on this thread is exactly what you were saying and as far as rifles I have a 338 Lapua magnum but I believe in a lighter pound bow a cut on contact Broadhead do not bother with the expandables
I used to pull 82# on a Golden Eagle (65% LO) back when I was a young buck. One fixed pin to 45 yards was nice, but it took its toll on my rotator cuff.
My goal is to shoot heavyish arrows fast. More penetration and less drop. I have more room for error. My group of bow brothers regularly practice at 125 yards. I'm a fan of the high poundage bows, I have a stable full of them. Hoyt nitrum 34 is the best IMO. I have newer bows that don't perform as well or shoot as easy as the nitrum. 80lb. 425 grain arrow, 340 fps.
I've killed more than I can count directly under my climber. And at that distance 50lb is as good as 80lb. But the extra speed and weight really shine at those extended ranges.
White tail. 114 yards pass through.
Elk. 105 yards. Pass through.
Mule deer. 92 yards. Pass through.
You get the idea.
A good broadhead from a 50-60 lb bow will kill at these distances, but consider this.
A 4 yard error in range at 100 yards equals a miss. Speed doesn't kill, but it helps you stay on target with a bow.
I've killed more than I can count directly under my climber. And at that distance 50lb is as good as 80lb. But the extra speed and weight really shine at those extended ranges.
White tail. 114 yards pass through.
Elk. 105 yards. Pass through.
Mule deer. 92 yards. Pass through.
You get the idea.
A good broadhead from a 50-60 lb bow will kill at these distances, but consider this.
A 4 yard error in range at 100 yards equals a miss. Speed doesn't kill, but it helps you stay on target with a bow.
pointy sticks
Well-Known Member
Cuz we can…
My bow is a 70# but I have it dialed back to 62#. I just shoot more accurately and consistently at 62#. 62# and some Slick Tricks gets it done.
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Creedmoor shooter
Well-Known Member
I shoot 72#, 28in draw with a 430 grain easton axis 5mm at 279 fps out of my bowtech realm-x. Using a Rage Hypodermic (original version, not the NC) this arrow will blow through whitetails like they weren't even there.
It's funny how old timers shot 100lb longbows. My mentor and a Bowyer still has his 108 on the wall. He said he used to use this as his main bow. But since innovations even with trad bows have come so far you can get the same performance from a 60lb bow.
dave_halsey
Well-Known Member
When I drew my nevada archery bull tag I bumped my hoyt up to 80lb limbs and started shooting a heavier arrow. Blew a 475gr arrow through both shoulders at 40 yds.
LOL, another graveyard thread resuscitated back to life! But why not?!
I use to shoot 74 before 3 shoulder surgeries that had nothing to do with bow poundage. I damaged it many years ago messing with horses. Rt shoulder done again April 1st and had to replace limbs from 70-80 down to 50-60. So shot buck at 30 yards couple days ago at 54 lbs 31.5" Black Eagle Rampage 300 (.001) with 100 gr Thunderhead. Still at 275 fps with Hoyt DoubleXL . Blew thru like paper and slammed into tree. Fixed blades will help as we know. I wish I could still shoot heavier just to provide better range forgiveness on yardage estimates. You can't always range before you shoot, faster bows help.
My son shoots 82 lbs Hoyt with 500 gr 4MM FMJ at 300 fps. He does it easily and gets great performance out of it.
If you can draw heavier weight PROPERLY using correct technique to transfer as much load to back deltoids will reduce risk of injury. I am still surprised to see crummy improper draw technique with all the instruction vids that are out there. Bottom line, if you cannot draw bow while maintaining horizontal plane with bow, you are over poundage. Plus moonshot draws will get you tossed off ranges if they are run right.
I use to shoot 74 before 3 shoulder surgeries that had nothing to do with bow poundage. I damaged it many years ago messing with horses. Rt shoulder done again April 1st and had to replace limbs from 70-80 down to 50-60. So shot buck at 30 yards couple days ago at 54 lbs 31.5" Black Eagle Rampage 300 (.001) with 100 gr Thunderhead. Still at 275 fps with Hoyt DoubleXL . Blew thru like paper and slammed into tree. Fixed blades will help as we know. I wish I could still shoot heavier just to provide better range forgiveness on yardage estimates. You can't always range before you shoot, faster bows help.
My son shoots 82 lbs Hoyt with 500 gr 4MM FMJ at 300 fps. He does it easily and gets great performance out of it.
If you can draw heavier weight PROPERLY using correct technique to transfer as much load to back deltoids will reduce risk of injury. I am still surprised to see crummy improper draw technique with all the instruction vids that are out there. Bottom line, if you cannot draw bow while maintaining horizontal plane with bow, you are over poundage. Plus moonshot draws will get you tossed off ranges if they are run right.
nealm66
Well-Known Member
The draw backs that I found shooting the heavier bow was retrieving arrows. They either go in to far or you look like an idiot trying to get them free. Also, I love 3D competition to gain skill and they can be a shoulder burner.
